The Paladin in the Abyss-Chapter 402 - 416: The Waters of the Stygian River

Chapter 402: Chapter 416: The Waters of the Stygian River

With a loud splash, the Goblin Head Chef passed out on the ground once more, clearly frightened by the big-bearded Succubus, while the Butcher’s heavy footsteps were quickly approaching, ready to burst in at any moment.

“What do we do now?” Bruto had already taken out his hammer, “Shall we fight it?”

“Stay back and help me draw its attention!”

Lancelot ran to the barrel, slapped the side with his hand, and the liquid inside gathered into a water orb, floating in mid-air under the control of his True Yuan.

The Stygian River flows through all the lower planes, and its tributaries are widespread across many layers of the planes. The water varies in color depending on the location, but the most common is a black, wine-like color, also with an oily slickness. This liquid is also one of the most potent poisons in the Multiverse, with just a touch producing effects similar to the Foolish Art Technique, and drinking it can result in the loss of the last eight hours of memory at the least, or at worst, cause someone to permanently forget their identity.

There was a similar example right beside them, Clone Well, whose skull-like state seemed as if he had been soaking in the Styx for days. Although that Butcher already appeared foolish enough, if it could be made to forget who it was and what it should do for a while, then Lancelot’s mission would be considered complete.

...

After controlling the water orb, Lancelot flapped his wings and flew to the ceiling, just as the monster’s gigantic figure appeared outside the door, its gaze fixed on the frantic Dwarf.

“Hey, big guy!” Lancelot immediately called out, “Look here!”

The monster instinctively looked up and even slightly opened its mouth. Lancelot swiftly swung his hand, hurling the floating black water orb toward the monster’s head, hitting it squarely. The water orb burst on the creature’s face, drenching its entire body instantly. Some liquid must have slipped through its slightly open mouth, causing it to cough violently, while Lancelot quickly flew a bit further away, also summoning a Protective Sword Shield around him to avoid being splattered by the monster’s saliva.

Gradually, the monster’s coughing ceased. It stood there, looking dazed with a vacant expression, trying to step forward but immediately tripping over its other foot and falling to the ground. Like an overturned turtle, it flailed its limbs clumsily and could not even manage to roll over, eventually letting out a loud, baby-like, helpless cry.

“Is it… over like that?” Bruto, still shaken, walked over, “Was the water you poured on him… Styx water?”

“That’s right.” Lancelot glanced at the big-bearded Succubus, and took off his Transformation Ring.

“We don’t need this anymore…” Bruto paused for a moment, then also removed his ring, “What the hell is this thing? By Moradin’s beard, what is that smell?”

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A putrid stench drifted from the wailing monster, and turning back, Lancelot saw that a brownish-yellow pus was oozing from the cracks in the monster’s body, both looking and smelling like excrement, the toxic kind.

“Ugh, I can’t stand it! I’m outta here!”

The Dwarf ran outside the door, and seeing the monster was no longer a threat, Lancelot also planned to leave. But after thinking it over, he still dragged the still unconscious Goblin chef with him.

“Who is this guy?”

At the sight of the Human Knight bringing out a Goblin, the Dwarf immediately furrowed his brows. Even though they had previously enjoyed a pleasant collaboration with Phil, a Goblin agent from Twin Bridges Town, at Oasis Fort, they still harbored no fond feelings toward the Goblin race.

In most people’s minds, Kobolds were thought of merely as irritating thieves taken to petty larceny, while Goblins were considered nothing short of hooligans. They would hole up in uninhabited caves or abandoned castles, robbing lone travelers, plundering vulnerable villages, and whenever some big villain established an army for various nefarious purposes, Goblins could always be found among the ranks.

“He sort of helped me once.” Lancelot set the Goblin against the wall and slapped his face lightly, “Hey, wake up!”

“What’s this… What happened to me?” Lancelot’s slap was quite effective as the Goblin instantly opened his eyes, “Is it you? What are you doing here? I clearly saw…”

“That was an illusion.” Lancelot spoke with certainty, “I’ll just ask you one thing, do you want to escape with us or not?”

“Escape?” The Goblin’s gaze turned wary instantly, “Sir, what are you talking about? I’m very happy working here, I’ve never had any…”

“Enough, even the Demons wouldn’t believe that,” Lancelot waved his hand, interrupting him, “You don’t have to come with us if you don’t want to, but this castle will likely become very chaotic soon. If you want a chance to slip away, it’d be best not to miss this opportunity.”

The Goblin didn’t speak, just looked at them with a distrustful gaze. After all, he was a Goblin, and in his dictionary, the concept of helping others simply did not exist, so he was questioning the real intentions of this human before him.

“Suit yourself, consider it extra compensation for the information you provided before,” Lancelot clapped his hands, rising from his crouched position, “By the way, your friend Paji, the Butcher, is in there. I just poured a bucket of Styx Water all over him and now he seems to have forgotten how to even stand. Didn’t he kill one of your kin? If you want vengeance, now might be a good opportunity.”

Having said that, Lancelot no longer looked at him, pulling Bruto toward the corridor where they had agreed to meet up with the others.

Minutes later, the two men rejoined the main group. Lancelot was relieved to see the crowd maintaining quiet, even their conversations were whispers; however, everyone’s faces looked unnatural, the reason for which he could guess.

“Did you take a look inside?” Lancelot greeted Acheron, who was waiting at the back of the troop.

“Kaladray is leading a few warriors in there taking care of those giant worms before they turn into something worse,” the Elf Prince, who had been looking anxious, visibly relaxed upon seeing the two, “Although everyone has extensive combat experience, not many have had the chance to venture into other places. Some find it hard to adapt to the shock of that scene…”

“That’s normal, I got quite a shock myself the first time I came here,” Lancelot shrugged, “Let’s keep moving, the staircase to the Throne Hall is at the very back, but first, we need to get through a huge cave used as a barracks. Kalalin, you will definitely find that place interesting…”

He suddenly stopped speaking and looked up toward the end of the corridor. Several Elf warriors came running out in a panic, clutching their weapons tightly; Kaladray, who was the last one out, appeared relatively calm but had a very serious expression.